What is ISO 9001:2026?
ISO 9001:2026 is the latest edition of the international standard for quality management systems. It was published on Sept 16, 2026 and replaces ISO 9001:2015.
The revised edition keeps the familiar structure and core principles of ISO 9001:2015, while strengthening expectations around leadership, quality culture, ethical behaviour and the management of risks and opportunities.
Organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 will have three years to move to the new edition. They will not need to start the certification process again, but they should review their existing quality management system and plan any required changes with their certification body.
What has changed in ISO 9001:2026?
The ISO 9001:2026 changes are targeted updates rather than a complete rewrite of the standard. The main areas include:
A stronger quality culture
Leadership has a clearer responsibility for creating an environment where quality is reflected in everyday behaviours, decisions and priorities. Quality should be part of how the organisation operates, rather than something considered only before an audit.
Greater emphasis on ethical behaviour
The new edition places more attention on ethical behaviour and employee awareness. For manufacturers, this may be reflected in accurate inspection records, honest reporting, responsible decision-making and the way quality concerns are raised and addressed.
Clearer management of risks and opportunities
ISO 9001:2026 separates risks and opportunities more clearly. Organisations should consider how they will prevent unwanted outcomes while also identifying opportunities to improve performance, processes and customer satisfaction.
Closer links between quality and business strategy
The quality policy is more clearly connected to the organisation’s context and strategic direction. This reinforces the quality management system as a practical part of achieving business goals, rather than a standalone compliance exercise.
Clearer guidance for organisations
A new Annex A provides further explanation of key concepts, terminology and the intent behind the requirements. The standard also retains the Harmonized Structure used across ISO management system standards, helping organisations integrate quality with other management systems.
What has stayed the same in ISO 9001:2026?
The core foundations of the standard remain in place, including customer focus, the process approach, risk-based thinking and continual improvement. The clause structure has not changed, and organisations can build on their existing quality management system rather than start again.
The requirement to consider whether climate change is relevant to the quality management system is also included in ISO 9001:2026. This is carried forward from the 2024 amendment, rather than being a completely new requirement.
Paul Davies from In-Comm said:
“ISO 9001:2026 is an evolution of the current standard which has existed for the last 11 years. It keeps the core requirements of ISO 9001:2015 which have been implemented successfully with targeted refinements to remain relevant within a modern business environment, with a clear focus on a positive quality culture and ethics at the heart of the system.”
When do businesses need to transition to ISO 9001:2026?
Organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 have a three-year transition period. The transition can usually be included within a planned surveillance or recertification audit, although each business should confirm its dates and assessment arrangements with its certification body.
Starting early gives organisations time to understand the revised requirements, address gaps and include any changes within existing audit, training and improvement plans.
How to transition to ISO 9001:2026
A practical transition plan should include:
- Reviewing the revised standard and comparing it with the existing quality management system.
- Completing a gap analysis across leadership, quality culture, ethical behaviour, strategy, risks and opportunities.
- Checking current processes and records, including defect reporting, inspection results, corrective actions and internal audits.
- Briefing leaders and employees on the changes that affect their responsibilities.
- Reviewing training needs and agreeing a transition timetable with the certification body.
Businesses should keep the processes that already work and make focused changes where needed. The transition is also a useful opportunity to remove outdated practices and make the quality management system more valuable to day-to-day operations.
For businesses reviewing their skills and systems, In-Comm offers quality compliance courses alongside tailored quality assurance and compliance support.
Speak to the In-Comm team about your current quality training and compliance needs.
Keep an eye out for details of our upcoming ISO 9001:2026 seminars, designed to help businesses understand the changes and prepare for transition.